Disabled Vietnam Vet Wins $275,000 in Reader's Digest Sweepstakes.

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1999--

Unlucky Victim of Artillery Mishap,

Kissimmee, Fla., Man is Right On Target This Time

Three decades ago, an errant artillery blast nearly blew Edwin Cartagena to bits. Today the Florida man is happily recovering from a much more welcome bombshell -- word that he's a winner in the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes.

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., announced today that Cartagena, 55, of Kissimmee, is the winner of its $250,000 Customer Compensation Prize. Visiting Reader's Digest representatives presented the disabled Army veteran with his lump-sum check, along with a $25,000 bonus award, at his home today.

Cartagena moved to central Florida from his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1994, to be near an older sister. He first visited the U.S. mainland when he joined the Army, back in 1963, serving in Alaska, Germany, Korea and Vietnam -- site of the 1968 mishap that would forever change his life.

"They were testing some artillery when a shot went the wrong way," he calmly recalls. "People were yelling, and I was running. It blew me four feet in the air, then buried me under all the debris."

Returning to San Juan, Cartagena suffered increasing immobility in his neck, back and legs, and at age 28 was declared permanently disabled. While able to drive, and to walk with a cane, he has had to deal ever since with chronic pain and stiffness.

Since getting the happy news from Reader's Digest, "I have tried to keep calm, and keep going the same way I've been going all my life," Cartagena says. "The best thing to do is to think first, take time to cool off." He does plan to put some of his winnings toward extra chiropractic treatment, may hunt for a new house, and is looking forward to a European vacation.

"In today's world, there is much more being done to help the disabled do everything and go everywhere," says Cartagena, a proud member and volunteer with the Disabled American Veterans.

Since the Reader's Digest Association pioneered direct-mail sweepstakes in 1962, over $177 million has been awarded to over 2 million winners in the U.S. More than $16 million of that money has now gone to households in the Sunshine State.

Cartagena's odds of winning the $250,000 Reader's Digest Customer Compensation Prize were about 100 million to one. While not a Reader's Digest subscriber, he fondly recalls that his father, a San Juan cabbie, was "fanatic" about the magazine.

Reader's Digest runs numerous sweepstakes and contests throughout the year, with varying prizes and entry deadlines. This month, the company will announce four awards totaling $3.4 million, including a $2 million Grand Prize. More winning millionaires will be announced in April 2000.

"You don't have to buy anything to enter the U.S. Reader's Digest Sweepstakes, and "No" entries absolutely have the same chance of winning as entries with orders," emphasizes Donna Pierpont, a public relations manager for the company. "Three of our top prize winners this month returned "No" entries," she points out.

As a leader in sweepstakes marketing, Reader's Digest also has taken a leading role in educating consumers about legitimate sweepstakes and warning against unscrupulous scam artists, Pierpont explains. The company in 1997 collaborated with the Federal Trade Commission on a sweepstakes fraud prevention campaign.

Reader's Digest awards every prize offered in its sweepstakes, and publishes names of all winners. For a list, call toll-free 1-800-234-9000 or write to: Reader's Digest Sweepstakes Winners List, Dept. 99, P.O. Box 262, Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570-7000. Or check the company Web site, at www.readersdigest.com. All winners are selected in random drawings conducted by First Data Solutions, an independent judging firm, with all drawings audited by the KPMG Peat Marwick accounting firm.

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is the global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, enrich, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures. Reader's Digest, the world's best-selling magazine, is read each month by nearly 100 million people in virtually every country.